7/9/2007Paraphrasing what they said in the old margarine commercial "It's not smart to fool with Mother Nature". I found this out the hard way yesterday. I was running some errands and doing some chores and the heat got to me. Not being (too) stubborn I quit  for the day and went into the A/C . It was a scorcher but the air quality was moderate so I thought I was OK...but I guess not.  I recovered quickly once inside so no harm done...and another lesson learned. (Why I always have to learn the hard way is beyond me. Maybe my mother dropped me on my head or something)I really feel good today...but it's still very hot out so I'll have to stay inside. A cooler front is coming through tomorrow so I'll be back outside then. I just have to cool my jets until then.I went to see the pulmonologist today. He said overall everything looks great and he did advise me to beware of the heat. (Now you tell me!) However..He also said that I was a "carrier" for alpha1-proteinase inhibitor deficiency.(Huh?)  As a carrier he said that I am borderline for problems due to this but my children need to be tested also since it is heriditary. If Julie is also a carrier then they could have it. At the very least they will probably also be carriers. (I knew there was a reason he insisted on seeing me today. ) On the upside, I took a spirometry and it was NORMAL!! (Maybe I should not have waited so long to retire. I am feeling much better!)I'm closing now. I have to find out more about AAt deficiency...it's always something,isn't it?Be well,tom